Time for an oil change? Maybe not
No matter where I get my oil changed, the auto mechanic always places that little sticker on the windshield reminding me to return after 3,000 miles.
Truth or fiction? If you have a relatively new car and aren't driving it every day through a dust bowl or towing a boat, fiction is a safe bet.
So as gas prices sock it to us at the pump, double check with your auto manual regarding when you should change your oil because you could wind up saving a decent wad of dough each year. As a side benefit, you'll be helping the environment. So go ahead. Pat yourself on the back.
"We recommend that you change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles," according to a column at Cars.com. "That's our best estimate. It may be too soon for many people and too late for a few, but for the vast majority, 5,000-mile oil changes will help your engine last to a ripe, old age."
My Toyota Corolla 2002 manual, for example, recommends changing the oil every 5,000 miles at a minimum if you mainly drive in conditions such as unpaved or dusty roads, towing a trailer or repeated trips of fewer than five miles in temps below freezing. Otherwise, you can change it every 7,500 miles.
By the way, one of the best deals on getting an oil change in the Triad is a coupon in today's News & Record on C9. Oil change and tire rotation at Merchant's Tire & Auto for $19.99 (expires May 31).
Happy trails.
Due to recent automated spamming attacks on our blogs, we are temporarily requiring commenters to authenticate themselves via TypeKey® before posting comments to any News & Record blog in order to prevent denials of service. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.